171 Column Base

Museum Description: Inscribed Column Base Fragment

Room: 52/Case: 5/Number: 90854-90855

Scripture: Ezra 6:2

This was found at the summer palace in Ecbatana, and records that Artaxerxes II "King of Kings" was ruling at the time.  He evidently was not quite as powerful as he thought though, as during his rule Egypt broke away from the Persian Empire.  Ecbatana had previously played a vital role in Bible history.  Officials appointed by the Persians challenged the Jew rebuilding the Temple in the time of Zerubbabel, and wrote to the Persian King Darius I.  Darius made a search of the records, and in Ecbatana found the decree by Cyrus authorising the reconstruction of the Temple.  Darius therefore decreed that the work should continue, and even made the opposers provide some of the building materials.  This decision was out of respect for the Medo-Persian principle that, once a decree has been made by the king, it cannot be changed.  This principle is also mentioned in the book of Daniel, causing him to be thrown into the lion's pit.